NZ Politics: Opposition Gaining Traction, But Key’s Popularity Not Hurt
March 18th, 2010
The Labour Opposition sees itself getting real traction from its Axe-The-Tax campaign. MPs on the bus tour report they are getting a strong response. They think the Key Govt is miscalculating the depth of public concern. For the first time since the election defeat, they feel they are re-connecting with their core support. The Govt’s theme its tax changes will change people’s behaviour, reducing over-consumption and boosting savings, is not cutting much ice.
Yet there is little sign the Govt is losing any of its popularity. It’s a conundrum which confounds even seasoned commentators. Wherever John Key goes, he gets a response warmer than any PM in recent memory. Key is allergic to “ideology.” He likes “what works.” This appeals to Joe Blow, the average Kiwi. But Key’s biggest political achievement has been to transmit his ambition to lead the country up the global wealth ladder as something which is “do-able,” despite the scepticism of many eminent NZers.
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Duncan Cotterill